The present disclosure describes ultrasound systems configured to enhance flow imaging and analysis by adaptively adjusting one or more imaging parameters in response to acquired flow measurements. Example systems can include an ultrasound transducer and one or more processors. Using the system components, mean flow velocity magnitude and acceleration can be determined within a target region during an acquisition phase, which may include a cardiac cycle. One or more adjusted flow imaging parameters, such as adjusted ensemble length, temporal smoothing filter length and/or step size, can be determined based on the acquired flow measurements to increase the signal quality of newly acquired ultrasound echo signals. The adjusted flow imaging parameters can then be applied by the ultrasound transducer during a second acquisition phase.
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2. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) based on the one or more groups of echo signals.
Ultrasound imaging systems are used to visualize internal body structures by emitting sound waves and analyzing the reflected echoes. A key challenge in these systems is improving image quality, particularly in noisy environments where weak or distorted echo signals degrade diagnostic accuracy. This invention addresses this problem by enhancing signal processing techniques to improve image clarity. The system includes an ultrasound probe that transmits ultrasound waves into a target area and receives reflected echo signals. These echoes are grouped based on their characteristics, such as frequency or time of arrival, to isolate relevant data from noise. The system then processes these groups to reconstruct an image of the target area. A key feature is the ability to calculate a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) from the grouped echo signals, which helps assess image quality and optimize further processing. By analyzing SNR, the system can dynamically adjust imaging parameters, such as gain or filtering, to enhance clarity. This adaptive approach ensures that the final ultrasound image is as accurate and noise-free as possible, improving diagnostic reliability. The invention is particularly useful in medical imaging, where high-quality images are critical for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
4. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a graphical user interface configured to display a selectable graphic for initiating the one or more processors.
This invention relates to ultrasound imaging systems designed to improve user interaction and control. The system includes an ultrasound probe for capturing ultrasound data from a target area, one or more processors for processing the data to generate an image, and a display for showing the image. The system also features a graphical user interface (GUI) with a selectable graphic that allows a user to initiate or trigger the processing of the ultrasound data by the one or more processors. This enables efficient and intuitive control over the imaging process, enhancing usability and workflow. The GUI may include additional elements for adjusting imaging parameters, such as gain, depth, or frequency, to optimize image quality. The system may also incorporate advanced imaging modes, such as Doppler or harmonic imaging, to provide detailed diagnostic information. The selectable graphic in the GUI ensures that the user can easily activate the processing function, reducing the need for complex manual inputs and improving the overall efficiency of the ultrasound imaging process. The system is particularly useful in medical applications where quick and accurate imaging is critical.
5. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 4, wherein the graphical user interface is further configured to display the one or more flow properties and/or the one or more adjusted flow imaging parameters.
This invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system designed to enhance the visualization and analysis of blood flow within a patient. The system addresses the challenge of accurately assessing flow properties in real-time during medical imaging, which is critical for diagnosing vascular conditions. The system includes an ultrasound probe that captures raw ultrasound data from a patient and a processing unit that analyzes this data to extract flow properties, such as velocity, volume, and direction. These properties are then used to adjust imaging parameters, such as color Doppler settings, to improve the clarity and accuracy of the displayed flow information. The system also features a graphical user interface (GUI) that presents the extracted flow properties and the adjusted imaging parameters to the user. This allows clinicians to monitor and fine-tune the imaging process in real-time, ensuring optimal visualization of blood flow dynamics. The GUI may display numerical values, graphical representations, or both, providing a comprehensive view of the flow characteristics and system adjustments. By integrating these features, the system enhances diagnostic accuracy and efficiency in vascular imaging.
6. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 4, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to display a SNR based on the one or more groups of echo signals.
Ultrasound imaging systems are used to visualize internal body structures by emitting sound waves and analyzing the reflected echoes. A key challenge in ultrasound imaging is achieving high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to improve image clarity and diagnostic accuracy. Low SNR can result in poor image quality, making it difficult to distinguish between different tissues or structures. This invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system that includes a graphical user interface (GUI) designed to display the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) derived from one or more groups of echo signals. The system processes the received echo signals to calculate the SNR, which quantifies the quality of the ultrasound data. The GUI provides a visual representation of this SNR, allowing operators to assess the signal quality in real-time. This feature helps users adjust imaging parameters, such as gain or depth, to optimize image clarity. The system may also include additional components, such as a transducer for emitting and receiving ultrasound waves, a processor for analyzing the echo signals, and a display for showing the resulting images. By integrating SNR visualization into the GUI, the system enhances user control over image quality, improving diagnostic reliability.
7. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein the first acquisition phase comprises 1 to 4 cardiac cycles, inclusive.
Ultrasound imaging systems are used to capture images of internal body structures, particularly for cardiac imaging, where accurate and efficient data acquisition is critical. A challenge in such systems is balancing the need for detailed imaging with the time required to acquire sufficient data, especially during cardiac cycles where motion and timing are critical. This invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system that includes a probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals, a processor for generating images from the received signals, and a display for showing the images. The system operates in multiple acquisition phases, where each phase captures data over a specific number of cardiac cycles. The first acquisition phase is designed to capture data over 1 to 4 cardiac cycles, inclusive. This allows the system to adapt to varying patient conditions, such as heart rate variability, while ensuring sufficient data is collected for accurate image reconstruction. The system may also include additional acquisition phases with different parameters to further refine the imaging process. By controlling the number of cardiac cycles in the first phase, the system optimizes data acquisition efficiency and image quality, reducing the time required for imaging while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
8. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein the first acquisition phase and the second acquisition phase together comprise consecutive cardiac cycles.
The ultrasound imaging system is designed to improve cardiac imaging by acquiring data in multiple phases to enhance image quality and diagnostic accuracy. The system captures ultrasound data during at least two distinct acquisition phases, where each phase corresponds to a different portion of the cardiac cycle. These phases are consecutive, meaning they occur in immediate succession without interruption, allowing for continuous monitoring of cardiac activity. The system processes the acquired data to generate a composite image or sequence of images that provides a more comprehensive view of cardiac function. By dividing the acquisition into multiple phases, the system can better capture dynamic changes in the heart, such as motion artifacts or variations in blood flow, which are critical for accurate diagnosis. The consecutive nature of the phases ensures that the data remains temporally coherent, reducing discrepancies that might arise from non-continuous sampling. This approach enhances the system's ability to track rapid cardiac events and improve the reliability of diagnostic assessments. The system may also include additional features, such as adaptive beamforming or motion compensation, to further refine image quality during the acquisition phases.
9. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein the one or more groups of echo signals comprise a plurality of groups of echo signals, and wherein between 15 and 60 groups of echo signals of the plurality of groups of echo signals are acquired per second.
This invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system designed to improve image quality and frame rate by optimizing the acquisition of echo signals. The system addresses the challenge of balancing high-resolution imaging with real-time performance, which is critical for applications like medical diagnostics where both detail and speed are essential. The system acquires multiple groups of echo signals, with each group representing a set of reflected ultrasound waves captured from different spatial locations or angles. The key innovation lies in controlling the acquisition rate of these groups to achieve a specific frame rate. Specifically, the system is configured to acquire between 15 and 60 groups of echo signals per second. This range ensures a high enough sampling rate to produce smooth, real-time images while maintaining sufficient resolution for accurate diagnostic interpretation. The system may also include additional features such as beamforming, signal processing, and image reconstruction components to enhance the quality of the final ultrasound image. By adjusting the number of groups acquired per second, the system can adapt to different imaging scenarios, such as fast-moving tissues or detailed static structures, without compromising performance. This approach improves the versatility and reliability of ultrasound imaging in clinical and research settings.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more flow properties comprise a mean flow velocity magnitude and an acceleration.
A system and method for analyzing fluid flow properties in a fluid conduit involves measuring and processing flow characteristics to determine dynamic behavior. The method includes capturing data from one or more sensors positioned along the conduit to detect flow properties such as pressure, temperature, and flow rate. These measurements are processed to calculate derived flow properties, including mean flow velocity magnitude and acceleration. The system may also incorporate additional sensors or computational models to refine the analysis, ensuring accurate representation of the fluid's dynamic state. By monitoring these properties, the system enables real-time assessment of flow conditions, which can be used for applications such as leak detection, flow optimization, or system diagnostics. The method may further involve comparing the calculated properties against predefined thresholds or historical data to identify anomalies or inefficiencies in the fluid flow. The system is designed to operate in various fluid environments, including pipelines, industrial processes, or environmental monitoring systems, providing actionable insights for maintaining or improving fluid transport efficiency.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining and displaying a SNR based on the one or more groups of echo signals.
This invention relates to signal processing in ultrasound imaging systems, specifically improving image quality by analyzing echo signals. The problem addressed is the need for accurate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) assessment in ultrasound imaging to enhance diagnostic reliability. The method involves processing echo signals received from tissue or other structures during an ultrasound scan. These signals are grouped based on their characteristics, such as amplitude, phase, or frequency, to isolate relevant data from noise. The system then calculates the SNR by comparing the strength of the grouped echo signals to the background noise level. This SNR value is displayed to the user, providing a quantitative measure of image quality. The method may also involve adaptive filtering or beamforming techniques to further refine the echo signal groups before SNR calculation. By dynamically assessing and displaying SNR, the system helps operators adjust imaging parameters in real-time to optimize image clarity and diagnostic accuracy. This approach is particularly useful in medical imaging, where high SNR is critical for detecting subtle abnormalities.
14. The method of claim 10, further comprising displaying the one or more flow properties and/or the one or more adjusted flow imaging parameters.
This invention relates to fluid flow analysis, specifically improving the accuracy of flow imaging by dynamically adjusting imaging parameters based on detected flow properties. The problem addressed is the difficulty in obtaining clear and accurate flow measurements in dynamic fluid systems where flow characteristics (e.g., velocity, turbulence, or particle concentration) vary over time or space. Traditional imaging systems often use fixed parameters, leading to suboptimal image quality or missed data. The method involves capturing an initial image of a fluid flow using an imaging device, such as a camera or sensor array, and analyzing the image to determine one or more flow properties (e.g., flow rate, direction, or turbulence intensity). Based on these properties, the system automatically adjusts one or more imaging parameters (e.g., exposure time, frame rate, or sensor sensitivity) to optimize the capture of subsequent images. This adaptive adjustment ensures that the imaging system responds to changing flow conditions, improving the accuracy and reliability of the flow measurements. Additionally, the method includes displaying the detected flow properties and the adjusted imaging parameters, allowing users to monitor system performance and verify the accuracy of the adjustments. This feedback loop helps ensure that the imaging system remains optimized for the specific flow conditions being analyzed. The invention is particularly useful in industrial, medical, or environmental applications where precise flow measurement is critical.
15. The method of claim 10, further comprising displaying a selectable graphic for initiating the determining of the one or more adjusted flow imaging parameters.
This invention relates to medical imaging systems, specifically ultrasound imaging, and addresses the challenge of optimizing image quality in real-time based on fluid flow characteristics. The method involves analyzing fluid flow data captured by an ultrasound probe to determine one or more adjusted flow imaging parameters, such as velocity, turbulence, or flow direction. These parameters are then used to enhance the visualization of fluid flow within a patient's body, improving diagnostic accuracy. The method includes capturing ultrasound data representing fluid flow within a region of interest, processing the data to identify flow characteristics, and automatically adjusting imaging parameters to better visualize those characteristics. For example, if high-velocity flow is detected, the system may increase frame rate or adjust color Doppler settings to improve clarity. The method also includes displaying a selectable graphic, such as a button or icon, on the imaging interface. When selected, this graphic triggers the determination of adjusted flow imaging parameters, allowing the operator to manually initiate the optimization process if needed. The system may also incorporate machine learning or predictive algorithms to anticipate flow changes and pre-adjust parameters before significant flow variations occur. This proactive approach ensures continuous high-quality imaging without manual intervention. The invention is particularly useful in cardiovascular imaging, where accurate flow visualization is critical for diagnosing conditions like stenosis or regurgitation. By automating parameter adjustments, the method reduces operator workload and improves diagnostic consistency.
16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising executable instructions, which when executed cause a processor of a medical imaging system to perform the method of claim 13.
This invention relates to medical imaging systems and addresses the challenge of efficiently processing and analyzing medical images to improve diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency. The system involves a computer-readable medium containing executable instructions that, when run on a processor, enable automated analysis of medical images. The instructions implement a method for detecting and classifying anatomical structures or abnormalities within the images. The method includes preprocessing the images to enhance relevant features, applying machine learning models to identify and segment regions of interest, and generating structured reports or annotations for clinical review. The system may also integrate with existing imaging workflows, allowing radiologists to validate or refine the automated results. The machine learning models are trained on annotated datasets to improve accuracy over time. The invention aims to reduce the time required for manual image interpretation while maintaining high diagnostic standards. The system can be applied to various imaging modalities, including MRI, CT, and X-ray, and may support real-time analysis for time-sensitive clinical decisions. The overall goal is to enhance the efficiency and reliability of medical imaging diagnostics.
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October 14, 2019
April 23, 2024
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